Start Loc: Number Seven Creek, Missionary Bay, Hinchinbrook Island (18o 17.66'S, 146o 15.01'E)
Narrative: We checked the crab pots this morning after putting them out last night, and I was surprised we didn't get anything. Mangrove creek, muddy bottom - does it get better?
We raised the anchor at 10:20am and motored back to the cross over, into Number Six Creek, past the starboard lateral and towards the first special out in the bay. From there we were slightly west of our track in as we headed towards to the peak of Goold Island, and the least depth we recorded was 2.7m so it was a deeper track.
Once clear of the shallows we said goodbye to Hinchinbrook Island, raised sail and set a course up the east side of Goold Island and into Rockingham Bay. Winds were E at about 10kts, so we sailed on a beam reach from Goold Island north to the Family Group of islands. As we passed the small and uninhabited Hudson Island (the south-eastern most of the group) the small beach and clear water looked very inviting, so we decided to stop for a swim. We anchored off the beach in 5m of water at 1:45pm. It took two attempts to get the anchor to bite as the bottom was just small pieces of broken coral with some scattered rocks. We took the dinghy ashore and all had a refreshingly cool swim. We started to raise the anchor again at 3:00pm, but we had fouled the anchor. I manoeuvred the boat around but wasn't able to free it. There was nothing else for it, so I donned my fins and goggles and pulled myself down the anchor chain to see what the problem was. Fortunately, the anchor wasn't caught under a rock, it was just that the chain had wrapped around a rock. On my second dive down I was able to unwrap it. I surfaced over the anchor and guided Heather straight towards me while Haydee used the windlass to raise the chain and anchor. Once it was clear of the water and Heather had put the boat in neutral, I swam around the back, climbed back on, and we were finally under way at 3:20pm.
The wind dropped to about 7kts as we approached Dunk Island, so we motor sailed for a bit, dropped sail just off the sand spit, and anchored in Brammo Bay at 4:58pm.
Looking through the binoculars at the Dunk Island Resort revealed that the jetty no longer went all the way to the beach, the bar/kiosk near the jetty was destroyed, many of the resort accommodation buildings are missing parts of their roof, and a lot of other debris lying around. Presumably it is all Yasi damage, and there has not even been much attempt to clean up let alone rebuild.
End Loc: Brammo Bay, Dunk Island (17o 56.03'S, 146o 08.20'E)
Distance run: 27nm (cumulative: 1520nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 30 min (cumulative: 188 hr 26 min)
Monday 31 October 2011
30th October, 2011
Start Loc: Scraggy Point, Hinchinbrook Island (18o 17.43'S, 146o 06.24'E)
Narrative: After another calm night at anchor, we left Scraggy Point at 9:40am. There was no wind to speak of, and we motored across the channel to Port Hinchinbrook Marina, arriving at 10:20am. While the mess of boats and pontoons in the corner had been removed, there was only the piles and few boats. We motored straight around to the jetty at Cardwell. It has no protection on its piles so we decided to do a recon by dinghy, anchoring just off the jetty at 10:55am.
Water was the only reason we needed to go along side. The advice we had must be out of date as there is no longer water available at the jetty. We walked across the highway to the servo, bought bread and milk and 20L of ULP for the outboards, and filled the 25L water jerry. (We keep a 25L jerry as an emergency reserve, and knowing we could refill at the servo we had just emptied it into the forward water tank.) After stowing all that on the boat and putting another 25L in the forward water tank, Cam and I went ashore again, filled up the water jerry, and dumped rubbish.
Heather and Haydee had lunch ready for us when we got back, so we scoffed that and raised anchor again at 12:30pm. Winds were NE at 10-15kts by this stage, but our course was NE too, so we motored past Hecate Point on Hinchinbrook and into Missionary Bay. There are eight creeks in the SE corner of Missionary Bay, numbered instead of named, all deep but with a large area of mud flats across the entrance. We were approaching on an ebb tide but we still had 2.5m of tide so I wasn't overly concerned. We approached the yellow special mark in the SE corner of the bay on a bearing of 155 degrees magnetic, with the peak of Goold Island dead astern. We found the shallowest water north of the special, reading 2.5m. Once we were on the line between the special mark and the starboard lateral at the mouth of Number Six Creek, we turned towards the starboard lateral. It was generally 4m of water on the way to the lateral. From there we strongly favoured the south bank (4.5m of water 10m off the bank) until we reached the cross over to Number Seven Creek. It was all safe water through the cross over and the couple of hundred metres or so up Number Seven Creek before we anchored in 6.5m of water at 3:25pm.
Once we were set up, we took the dinghy with the 15hp further up the river to find the Ramsay Bay Boardwalk. We found it, and walked the 10 minutes or so to Ramsay Bay on the east side of Hinchinbrook. It was a nice beach, albeit with a bit of rubbish washed up, and Heather and I enjoyed a cooling off swim while the kids played in the small 'surf' on their boogie boards. The cold beer when we got back to the boat was a good way to end the day.
We will leave at about 10:00am tomorrow as at 10:15am we will have 2m of rising tide and hence plenty of water to get back out. We will head up to Dunk Island for the night.
End Loc: Number Seven Creek, Missionary Bay, Hinchinbrook Island (18o 17.66'S, 146o 15.01'E)
Distance run: 24nm (cumulative: 1493nm)
Engine hours: 4 hr, 15 min (cumulative: 185 hr 56 min)
Narrative: After another calm night at anchor, we left Scraggy Point at 9:40am. There was no wind to speak of, and we motored across the channel to Port Hinchinbrook Marina, arriving at 10:20am. While the mess of boats and pontoons in the corner had been removed, there was only the piles and few boats. We motored straight around to the jetty at Cardwell. It has no protection on its piles so we decided to do a recon by dinghy, anchoring just off the jetty at 10:55am.
Water was the only reason we needed to go along side. The advice we had must be out of date as there is no longer water available at the jetty. We walked across the highway to the servo, bought bread and milk and 20L of ULP for the outboards, and filled the 25L water jerry. (We keep a 25L jerry as an emergency reserve, and knowing we could refill at the servo we had just emptied it into the forward water tank.) After stowing all that on the boat and putting another 25L in the forward water tank, Cam and I went ashore again, filled up the water jerry, and dumped rubbish.
Heather and Haydee had lunch ready for us when we got back, so we scoffed that and raised anchor again at 12:30pm. Winds were NE at 10-15kts by this stage, but our course was NE too, so we motored past Hecate Point on Hinchinbrook and into Missionary Bay. There are eight creeks in the SE corner of Missionary Bay, numbered instead of named, all deep but with a large area of mud flats across the entrance. We were approaching on an ebb tide but we still had 2.5m of tide so I wasn't overly concerned. We approached the yellow special mark in the SE corner of the bay on a bearing of 155 degrees magnetic, with the peak of Goold Island dead astern. We found the shallowest water north of the special, reading 2.5m. Once we were on the line between the special mark and the starboard lateral at the mouth of Number Six Creek, we turned towards the starboard lateral. It was generally 4m of water on the way to the lateral. From there we strongly favoured the south bank (4.5m of water 10m off the bank) until we reached the cross over to Number Seven Creek. It was all safe water through the cross over and the couple of hundred metres or so up Number Seven Creek before we anchored in 6.5m of water at 3:25pm.
Once we were set up, we took the dinghy with the 15hp further up the river to find the Ramsay Bay Boardwalk. We found it, and walked the 10 minutes or so to Ramsay Bay on the east side of Hinchinbrook. It was a nice beach, albeit with a bit of rubbish washed up, and Heather and I enjoyed a cooling off swim while the kids played in the small 'surf' on their boogie boards. The cold beer when we got back to the boat was a good way to end the day.
We will leave at about 10:00am tomorrow as at 10:15am we will have 2m of rising tide and hence plenty of water to get back out. We will head up to Dunk Island for the night.
End Loc: Number Seven Creek, Missionary Bay, Hinchinbrook Island (18o 17.66'S, 146o 15.01'E)
Distance run: 24nm (cumulative: 1493nm)
Engine hours: 4 hr, 15 min (cumulative: 185 hr 56 min)
Sunday 30 October 2011
29th October, 2011
Start Loc: Haycock Island, Hinchinbrook Passage (18o 28.25'S, 146o 13.22'E)
Narrative: It was a calm anchorage last night, and insect free, so we all got a good night's sleep. I put the crab pots in this morning, one with fish and one with cat food as bait. I also tried some lure fishing around the mangroves without success. After 'skyping' with both sides of the family we had lunch, and then I pulled the pots - nothing. I will try and pick up some of the local knowledge while we are in Cardwell tomorrow. We left Haycock Island at 2:13pm and sailed / motor sailed further up the passage.
On our walk through the forest at Zoe Bay yesterday, we noticed plenty of trees on the forest floor (Cyclone Yasi damage), but the remainder of the vegetation and canopy seemed to be in pretty good nick. After a cyclone, a lot of the trees are totally stripped of vegetation and the effect is that a forest looks like a bunch of clean white sticks. As we came up the west side of the island, the clean white stick effect was still obvious, but there was a lot of vegetation regrowth as well. Hinchinbrook seems to be recovering from Yasi well enough.
We were originally thinking we would anchor around Gayundah Creek tonight as it is one of the last 'protected' anchorages. Given the calm weather we have at the moment, we decided we did not need protection from developed trade winds and that we could anchor pretty well anywhere in the channel. We settled on Scraggy Point on the west side of Hinchinbrook Island. It juts out enough that you can tuck in away from any NE swell, and is one of the few spots on the west side with easy land access - it has a beach. We anchored at Scraggy Point at 5:00pm in 4m of water and good holding mud.
Tomorrow we will have a quick look at the Hinchinbrook Marina to see if the economical environment is recovering from Yasi as well as the natural environment of Hinchinbrook Island. Hinchinbrook Marina is the one that provided the footage of all the boats piled up in the SW corner of the marina after all the pontoons floated off their piles (the piles were not too high so they didn't ruin the views from the multimillion dollar apartments, and obviously a little too short for the storm surge). We will then use the morning high tide to come alongside the public jetty at Cardwell. The least depth the chart shows is 0.6m LAT so I need 1.1m of tide, but I will take the safe option and wait until at least 8:25am when I have 1.7m of tide (I'm tipping it will be more like 10:30am!). It doesn't drop back down to 1.7m again until 4:35pm and we will be long gone by that stage. We will fill up our water at the jetty, and I want to fill up our ULP jerry as well and get some bread and milk. We will then make our way into Missionary Bay for the night, anchoring down in one of the creeks.
End Loc: Scraggy Point, Hinchinbrook Island (18o 17.43'S, 146o 06.24'E)
Distance run: 14nm (cumulative: 1469nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 22 min (cumulative: 181 hr 41 min)
Narrative: It was a calm anchorage last night, and insect free, so we all got a good night's sleep. I put the crab pots in this morning, one with fish and one with cat food as bait. I also tried some lure fishing around the mangroves without success. After 'skyping' with both sides of the family we had lunch, and then I pulled the pots - nothing. I will try and pick up some of the local knowledge while we are in Cardwell tomorrow. We left Haycock Island at 2:13pm and sailed / motor sailed further up the passage.
On our walk through the forest at Zoe Bay yesterday, we noticed plenty of trees on the forest floor (Cyclone Yasi damage), but the remainder of the vegetation and canopy seemed to be in pretty good nick. After a cyclone, a lot of the trees are totally stripped of vegetation and the effect is that a forest looks like a bunch of clean white sticks. As we came up the west side of the island, the clean white stick effect was still obvious, but there was a lot of vegetation regrowth as well. Hinchinbrook seems to be recovering from Yasi well enough.
We were originally thinking we would anchor around Gayundah Creek tonight as it is one of the last 'protected' anchorages. Given the calm weather we have at the moment, we decided we did not need protection from developed trade winds and that we could anchor pretty well anywhere in the channel. We settled on Scraggy Point on the west side of Hinchinbrook Island. It juts out enough that you can tuck in away from any NE swell, and is one of the few spots on the west side with easy land access - it has a beach. We anchored at Scraggy Point at 5:00pm in 4m of water and good holding mud.
Tomorrow we will have a quick look at the Hinchinbrook Marina to see if the economical environment is recovering from Yasi as well as the natural environment of Hinchinbrook Island. Hinchinbrook Marina is the one that provided the footage of all the boats piled up in the SW corner of the marina after all the pontoons floated off their piles (the piles were not too high so they didn't ruin the views from the multimillion dollar apartments, and obviously a little too short for the storm surge). We will then use the morning high tide to come alongside the public jetty at Cardwell. The least depth the chart shows is 0.6m LAT so I need 1.1m of tide, but I will take the safe option and wait until at least 8:25am when I have 1.7m of tide (I'm tipping it will be more like 10:30am!). It doesn't drop back down to 1.7m again until 4:35pm and we will be long gone by that stage. We will fill up our water at the jetty, and I want to fill up our ULP jerry as well and get some bread and milk. We will then make our way into Missionary Bay for the night, anchoring down in one of the creeks.
End Loc: Scraggy Point, Hinchinbrook Island (18o 17.43'S, 146o 06.24'E)
Distance run: 14nm (cumulative: 1469nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 22 min (cumulative: 181 hr 41 min)
Friday 28 October 2011
28th October, 2011
Start Loc: Little Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island (18o 35.72'S, 146o 29.25'E)
Narrative: We went ashore this morning to have a look for the ruins of a house made from coral. Apparently an oyster lessee decided coral would be a cheap and effective building material, but had to abandon it as a result of infectious cuts. We couldn't find the coral house but did find the remains of the stone and concrete homestead from the old sheep station.
We sailed off the mooring buoy at 9:45am, but with NE winds at only 6kts it wasn't long before we decided to motor sail. By late morning, true wind had swung to ENE but was still about 5kts. At 12:38pm we anchored in Zoe Bay on the east coast of Hinchinbrook Island, 16nm from Little Pioneer Bay. As we came in we saw a waterfall and wondered if we could walk to it. A cat (Hadja) on the way out of the bay, came over for a quick chat and told us there was indeed a track leading to the falls.
After lunch we took the dinghy ashore and walked the 1200m or so to a beautiful freshwater swimming hole fed by the waterfall. It was a relaxing and refreshing afternoon. Reluctantly I dragged the family away at 3:00pm and we headed back to the boat, stowed the outboard and dinghy, and motored out of the bay at 3:58pm. Despite it taking three attempts to get the anchor to bite and the bay being exposed to the weather, I have decided we will drop back here on the way south if at all possible.
The late departure from Zoe Bay meant we would not finish the 17nm to where we had decide to anchor for the night until after dark, but that was not unexpected. We sailed back south towards the 5.5km long sugar loading jetty at Lucinda, then dropped sail as we turned east onto the leads and motored into Hinchinbrook Passage. We turned the navigation and steaming lights on as we passed the old molasses jetty at Dungeness. We anchored in 6m of water in good holding mud between Hinchinbrook Island and Haycock Island, at 7:05pm. We have mozzie coils burning and all insect screens in place, so we will see if we can keep the mozzies and midgies out whilst still allowing some ventilation.
The plan for tomorrow is to try some fishing in the morning while the crab pots are out, and then we will head up to an anchorage around Gayundah Creek. On Sunday we will use the high tide in the morning to pull alongside the jetty at Cardwell and fill up water, as well as get fresh bread and milk, before moving around to Missionary Bay.
End Loc: Haycock Island, Hinchinbrook Passage (18o 28.25'S, 146o 13.22'E)
Distance run: 33nm (cumulative: 1455nm)
Engine hours: 4 hr, 54 min (cumulative: 180 hr 19 min)
Narrative: We went ashore this morning to have a look for the ruins of a house made from coral. Apparently an oyster lessee decided coral would be a cheap and effective building material, but had to abandon it as a result of infectious cuts. We couldn't find the coral house but did find the remains of the stone and concrete homestead from the old sheep station.
We sailed off the mooring buoy at 9:45am, but with NE winds at only 6kts it wasn't long before we decided to motor sail. By late morning, true wind had swung to ENE but was still about 5kts. At 12:38pm we anchored in Zoe Bay on the east coast of Hinchinbrook Island, 16nm from Little Pioneer Bay. As we came in we saw a waterfall and wondered if we could walk to it. A cat (Hadja) on the way out of the bay, came over for a quick chat and told us there was indeed a track leading to the falls.
After lunch we took the dinghy ashore and walked the 1200m or so to a beautiful freshwater swimming hole fed by the waterfall. It was a relaxing and refreshing afternoon. Reluctantly I dragged the family away at 3:00pm and we headed back to the boat, stowed the outboard and dinghy, and motored out of the bay at 3:58pm. Despite it taking three attempts to get the anchor to bite and the bay being exposed to the weather, I have decided we will drop back here on the way south if at all possible.
The late departure from Zoe Bay meant we would not finish the 17nm to where we had decide to anchor for the night until after dark, but that was not unexpected. We sailed back south towards the 5.5km long sugar loading jetty at Lucinda, then dropped sail as we turned east onto the leads and motored into Hinchinbrook Passage. We turned the navigation and steaming lights on as we passed the old molasses jetty at Dungeness. We anchored in 6m of water in good holding mud between Hinchinbrook Island and Haycock Island, at 7:05pm. We have mozzie coils burning and all insect screens in place, so we will see if we can keep the mozzies and midgies out whilst still allowing some ventilation.
The plan for tomorrow is to try some fishing in the morning while the crab pots are out, and then we will head up to an anchorage around Gayundah Creek. On Sunday we will use the high tide in the morning to pull alongside the jetty at Cardwell and fill up water, as well as get fresh bread and milk, before moving around to Missionary Bay.
End Loc: Haycock Island, Hinchinbrook Passage (18o 28.25'S, 146o 13.22'E)
Distance run: 33nm (cumulative: 1455nm)
Engine hours: 4 hr, 54 min (cumulative: 180 hr 19 min)
27th October, 2011
Start Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.74'S, 146o 51.67'E)
Narrative: I managed to rouse the crew early this morning (about 7:30am) by cooking them bacon and eggs. After cleaning up, we raised the anchor at 8:50am and motored NW out of the bay. We didn't make it far though.
About a mile and a half out of the bay we spotted something odd floating to our west, so we went to investigate. It turned out to be a tinny, about 4.5m long, with no bung, half full of water, and only the positive buoyancy built into the seats keeping it afloat. We came along side it, connected a tow line, then I climbed in and put a bung in the hole at the stern. All it had was a plastic milk crate tucked in the right rear corner, and swimming around my ankles was one of the largest prawns I have seen. I was very tempted to keep the prawn but the timing was all wrong, so it went over the side as I bailed out the water. With the tinny floating and reasonably stable again, I turned my attention to the rope that disappeared into water over the bow. The 20m of rope was attached to a light chain, and at the end of the chain I pulled the anchor up. As I pulled the anchor into the boat I was surprised to see a fishing rod come with it - it just happened to be hooked over the anchor. The reel was set up for a left hander so I awkwardly started winding in the line. It got very heavy very quickly, but it didn't feel like a snag (plus we were in 20m of water). If it was a fish on the end it had died, because it wasn't putting up a fight.
I ended up getting back on our boat to wind the line in from a more stable platform. While I did this, Heather reported the tinny find to Townsville Coast Guard. We had clear VHF comms, but she still had to say everything three times. We were also not asked for any information, instead offering the lat and long, the tinny rego, etc. These facts, supported by some previous dealings with VMR/Coast Guard, left us with absolutely no confidence. It was apparent something had gone wrong, so Heather rang the police. She gave some details and told them we would tow the dinghy into Horseshoe Bay and leave it on the beach near the swimming enclosure. The lady Heather spoke to asked if we could hang around for 15 minutes as someone may want to talk to us.
Meanwhile, I was slowly getting whatever was on the end of the fishing line to the surface. I could see the lure and and also a large dark shadow. I sent the kids downstairs just in case it was the body of some poor fisherman, but it turned out to be the bimini of the tinny; no longer attached to the boat other than the fact that it was hooked on a lure connected by line to rod and reel that happened to be hooked on the anchor! As the bimini broke the surface, the rod and line also broke and the bimini sank away again.
We towed the tinny back to Horseshoe Bay and anchored at 10:15am. We started to prepare our dinghy to tow the tinny ashore when the Townsville Water Police rang. I gave them all the details, including my read of things - that (a left handed) someone out fishing in the last couple of days took a large wave the wrong way and the boat capsized. While the tinny was upside down, the motor had come off, the anchor had spilled out, the bimini had come off, and his fishing rod just happened to slide down the anchor rope and get hooked on the anchor. They asked us to wait and they would meet us in 45 minutes.
At 10:55am we handed over the dinghy (and the broken fishing rod) to the crew of the police vessel Len Hooper. They told us they had located the owner from the rego we gave them, and my guess was pretty well right. There were three blokes (Maggie Island locals) in the tinny and they swam ashore on one life jacket, so they were all okay. The police towed the tinny ashore to return it to the owner.
With all the excitement over, we raised anchor at 11:05am and set course (again) for Orpheus Island. We had light N winds at less than 10kts, so we raised full sail and motor sailed on our NW heading. We decided we would use the motor to keep the speed over ground to at least 6kts as we had over 35nm to cover and a late start. Our course brought us past the SW corner of Palm Island, between Palm and a few other much smaller islands. Heather wanted to take a different route simply because this is called 'Steamer Passage'. As we approached this corner of Palm Island the wind switched to E at 5-10kts, changing direction simply because of the effect of the island. Past Palm Island and approaching Fantome Island, the wind was back to NE and had freshened to about 12kts so we gave the motor a rest, turning it off at 4:13pm. We sailed on a close reach at 6.5kts over ground. It didn't last long and we started the motor again at 4:23pm. Once clear of Fantome Island the wind freshened again, and we turned the motor off at 4:31pm.
We altered course to a northerly heading and sailed close hauled up the west side of Orpheus Island. The wind remained NE at 10-15kts, giving us an apparent wind of around 18kts and and 7kts speed over ground. The water was flat, the sun was getting low and it was great sailing. We started the motor at 5:29pm, dropped sail, and motored into Little Pioneer Bay (towards the top end of Orpheus Island). We took up a mooring buoy at 5:38pm, and turned off the engine a minute later.
Heather had basically skippered from Horseshoe Bay. She was at the helm most of the day and did most of the navigation. All I did was maintain the log entries, sit in the sun and read my book. What a great day!
We readied the dinghy, grabbed a beer and a wine, and went ashore so the kids could run off some energy while we sat on the beach and watched the sun set.
Tomorrow we plan to head to Zoe Bay on the east side of Hinchinbrook Island for lunch and a swim, then head in to an overnight anchorage in Hinchinbrook Passage.
End Loc: Little Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island (18o 35.72'S, 146o 29.25'E)
Distance run: 42nm (cumulative: 1422nm)
Engine hours: 5 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 175 hr 25 min)
Narrative: I managed to rouse the crew early this morning (about 7:30am) by cooking them bacon and eggs. After cleaning up, we raised the anchor at 8:50am and motored NW out of the bay. We didn't make it far though.
About a mile and a half out of the bay we spotted something odd floating to our west, so we went to investigate. It turned out to be a tinny, about 4.5m long, with no bung, half full of water, and only the positive buoyancy built into the seats keeping it afloat. We came along side it, connected a tow line, then I climbed in and put a bung in the hole at the stern. All it had was a plastic milk crate tucked in the right rear corner, and swimming around my ankles was one of the largest prawns I have seen. I was very tempted to keep the prawn but the timing was all wrong, so it went over the side as I bailed out the water. With the tinny floating and reasonably stable again, I turned my attention to the rope that disappeared into water over the bow. The 20m of rope was attached to a light chain, and at the end of the chain I pulled the anchor up. As I pulled the anchor into the boat I was surprised to see a fishing rod come with it - it just happened to be hooked over the anchor. The reel was set up for a left hander so I awkwardly started winding in the line. It got very heavy very quickly, but it didn't feel like a snag (plus we were in 20m of water). If it was a fish on the end it had died, because it wasn't putting up a fight.
I ended up getting back on our boat to wind the line in from a more stable platform. While I did this, Heather reported the tinny find to Townsville Coast Guard. We had clear VHF comms, but she still had to say everything three times. We were also not asked for any information, instead offering the lat and long, the tinny rego, etc. These facts, supported by some previous dealings with VMR/Coast Guard, left us with absolutely no confidence. It was apparent something had gone wrong, so Heather rang the police. She gave some details and told them we would tow the dinghy into Horseshoe Bay and leave it on the beach near the swimming enclosure. The lady Heather spoke to asked if we could hang around for 15 minutes as someone may want to talk to us.
Meanwhile, I was slowly getting whatever was on the end of the fishing line to the surface. I could see the lure and and also a large dark shadow. I sent the kids downstairs just in case it was the body of some poor fisherman, but it turned out to be the bimini of the tinny; no longer attached to the boat other than the fact that it was hooked on a lure connected by line to rod and reel that happened to be hooked on the anchor! As the bimini broke the surface, the rod and line also broke and the bimini sank away again.
We towed the tinny back to Horseshoe Bay and anchored at 10:15am. We started to prepare our dinghy to tow the tinny ashore when the Townsville Water Police rang. I gave them all the details, including my read of things - that (a left handed) someone out fishing in the last couple of days took a large wave the wrong way and the boat capsized. While the tinny was upside down, the motor had come off, the anchor had spilled out, the bimini had come off, and his fishing rod just happened to slide down the anchor rope and get hooked on the anchor. They asked us to wait and they would meet us in 45 minutes.
At 10:55am we handed over the dinghy (and the broken fishing rod) to the crew of the police vessel Len Hooper. They told us they had located the owner from the rego we gave them, and my guess was pretty well right. There were three blokes (Maggie Island locals) in the tinny and they swam ashore on one life jacket, so they were all okay. The police towed the tinny ashore to return it to the owner.
With all the excitement over, we raised anchor at 11:05am and set course (again) for Orpheus Island. We had light N winds at less than 10kts, so we raised full sail and motor sailed on our NW heading. We decided we would use the motor to keep the speed over ground to at least 6kts as we had over 35nm to cover and a late start. Our course brought us past the SW corner of Palm Island, between Palm and a few other much smaller islands. Heather wanted to take a different route simply because this is called 'Steamer Passage'. As we approached this corner of Palm Island the wind switched to E at 5-10kts, changing direction simply because of the effect of the island. Past Palm Island and approaching Fantome Island, the wind was back to NE and had freshened to about 12kts so we gave the motor a rest, turning it off at 4:13pm. We sailed on a close reach at 6.5kts over ground. It didn't last long and we started the motor again at 4:23pm. Once clear of Fantome Island the wind freshened again, and we turned the motor off at 4:31pm.
We altered course to a northerly heading and sailed close hauled up the west side of Orpheus Island. The wind remained NE at 10-15kts, giving us an apparent wind of around 18kts and and 7kts speed over ground. The water was flat, the sun was getting low and it was great sailing. We started the motor at 5:29pm, dropped sail, and motored into Little Pioneer Bay (towards the top end of Orpheus Island). We took up a mooring buoy at 5:38pm, and turned off the engine a minute later.
Heather had basically skippered from Horseshoe Bay. She was at the helm most of the day and did most of the navigation. All I did was maintain the log entries, sit in the sun and read my book. What a great day!
We readied the dinghy, grabbed a beer and a wine, and went ashore so the kids could run off some energy while we sat on the beach and watched the sun set.
Tomorrow we plan to head to Zoe Bay on the east side of Hinchinbrook Island for lunch and a swim, then head in to an overnight anchorage in Hinchinbrook Passage.
End Loc: Little Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island (18o 35.72'S, 146o 29.25'E)
Distance run: 42nm (cumulative: 1422nm)
Engine hours: 5 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 175 hr 25 min)
Wednesday 26 October 2011
26th October, 2011
Start Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.64'S, 146o 51.62'E)
Narrative: After the engine hours we clocked today, you would doubt we are on a sail boat. We left Horseshoe Bay at 8:45am in winds of less than 5kts, so we ended up motoring all the way to Ross River. Once we were upstream of the new bridge works (about 10:40am) we picked up a vacant mooring buoy and the kids and I took the dinghy up the river to collect the charts. It didn't take long and we had the dinghy back on the davits and dropped the mooring at around 11:15am.
During the passage to Ross River, we got a phone call from Yacht Club telling us some mail had come in for us that morning. There is no way the mail run had been already, and yet they "didn't have any" for us when we rang them again yesterday afternoon. Mail has probably been one of the hardest things to work through. Holding mail is not a service marinas can charge for hence none of the them really care. Some will try to do the right thing and phone when they stumble across it, but none of them really appear to have a system in place for boats that are passing through. We are sure we have lost several items of mail.
Anyway, the Yacht Club phoned and said they had some mail, so we motored from Ross River to Ross Creek and stopped off at the yacht club to pick up the mail. Obviously that didn't take long either and we cast off around 12:15pm and motored back down the creek.
The plan was to go back to the small craft mooring area just inside the offshore breakwater, anchor, have lunch, and take the kids in to the water park for another quick play before heading off again. We had lunch and then remembered the water park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for cleaning and maintenance. The kids were very disappointed.
We raised the anchor at 1:30pm and motored north into wind (now N at 10-15kts) up the east side of Magnetic Island. We stopped in picturesque Florence Bay to check it out, but it was too exposed for an overnight anchorage. As we rounded the north east corner of the island, we were finally able to get some sail out and give the motor a rest. We sailed 2nm or so under full head sail (no main) back to Horseshoe Bay, and dropped anchor 3:55pm.
On the way in, the kids saw a floating tomato sauce bottle with some fishing line attached. Once we were anchored they took the dinghy to pick up the "rubbish". It turned out the fishing line was connected to the curved part of a large D-shackle. It would appear that someone was marking something by using the shackle as a weight and the sauce bottle as a float. Too bad for them as it is now all rubbish and not in a position to foul someone's prop (or to kill turtles, as was the kids' concern)!
Tomorrow we will sail the 35nm or so to Little Pioneer Bay at Orpheus Island. The only thing we need to be wary of is the RAAF doing flare drops at Rattlesnake Island in Halifax Bay. We haven't received a Notice to Mariners, but got the details of the 5nm exclusion zone over the VHF today.
End Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.74'S, 146o 51.67'E)
Distance run: 33nm (cumulative: 1380nm)
Engine hours: 5 hr, 21 min (cumulative: 169 hr 59 min)
Narrative: After the engine hours we clocked today, you would doubt we are on a sail boat. We left Horseshoe Bay at 8:45am in winds of less than 5kts, so we ended up motoring all the way to Ross River. Once we were upstream of the new bridge works (about 10:40am) we picked up a vacant mooring buoy and the kids and I took the dinghy up the river to collect the charts. It didn't take long and we had the dinghy back on the davits and dropped the mooring at around 11:15am.
During the passage to Ross River, we got a phone call from Yacht Club telling us some mail had come in for us that morning. There is no way the mail run had been already, and yet they "didn't have any" for us when we rang them again yesterday afternoon. Mail has probably been one of the hardest things to work through. Holding mail is not a service marinas can charge for hence none of the them really care. Some will try to do the right thing and phone when they stumble across it, but none of them really appear to have a system in place for boats that are passing through. We are sure we have lost several items of mail.
Anyway, the Yacht Club phoned and said they had some mail, so we motored from Ross River to Ross Creek and stopped off at the yacht club to pick up the mail. Obviously that didn't take long either and we cast off around 12:15pm and motored back down the creek.
The plan was to go back to the small craft mooring area just inside the offshore breakwater, anchor, have lunch, and take the kids in to the water park for another quick play before heading off again. We had lunch and then remembered the water park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for cleaning and maintenance. The kids were very disappointed.
We raised the anchor at 1:30pm and motored north into wind (now N at 10-15kts) up the east side of Magnetic Island. We stopped in picturesque Florence Bay to check it out, but it was too exposed for an overnight anchorage. As we rounded the north east corner of the island, we were finally able to get some sail out and give the motor a rest. We sailed 2nm or so under full head sail (no main) back to Horseshoe Bay, and dropped anchor 3:55pm.
On the way in, the kids saw a floating tomato sauce bottle with some fishing line attached. Once we were anchored they took the dinghy to pick up the "rubbish". It turned out the fishing line was connected to the curved part of a large D-shackle. It would appear that someone was marking something by using the shackle as a weight and the sauce bottle as a float. Too bad for them as it is now all rubbish and not in a position to foul someone's prop (or to kill turtles, as was the kids' concern)!
Tomorrow we will sail the 35nm or so to Little Pioneer Bay at Orpheus Island. The only thing we need to be wary of is the RAAF doing flare drops at Rattlesnake Island in Halifax Bay. We haven't received a Notice to Mariners, but got the details of the 5nm exclusion zone over the VHF today.
End Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.74'S, 146o 51.67'E)
Distance run: 33nm (cumulative: 1380nm)
Engine hours: 5 hr, 21 min (cumulative: 169 hr 59 min)
Tuesday 25 October 2011
25th October, 2011
Start Loc: Townsville (19o 15.17'S, 146o 49.44'E)
Narrative: After lunch on Sunday, we moved the one nautical mile into Breakwater Marina (28 minutes engine time). After stopping at the fuel dock to show our rego and insurance, we moved into our berth. We spent that afternoon relaxing on the Strand and the kids played at the water park. Monday was spent shopping and stowing groceries, and then this morning we took the kids to Reef HQ. They both have vague recollections of their time living in Townsville.
We left the marina after lunch today at 12:55pm, and set sail for the north side of Magnetic Island. As we came out into Cleveland Bay, the winds were NE at 15-20kts. We sailed on a close reach with one reef in the main and the head sail furled to 110%, which had us making 6.5kts through the water. It was great sailing for the first 45 minutes or so, and then the wind died to about 5kts so we dropped sail and motored the rest of the way. We rounded West Point and went across the top of Magnetic Island to Horseshoe Bay, where we anchored at 3:25pm.
The kids finished their school work while I set up some fishing lines and went ashore for a quick look around. Through the afternoon, we landed two more small sharks (one on squid and one on a prawn) and let them both go.
I made a phone call on Thursday about getting my hands on a few paper charts to cover some gaps as we continue north. I called again a few times yesterday and today, but with no luck. I got a return call this evening confirming they have some charts for me, so we will take the time tomorrow to head back to Townsville to pick them up. Tomorrow night will be spent either here again or further north, depending on weather.
End Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.64'S, 146o 51.62'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1347nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 09 min (cumulative: 164 hr 38 min)
Narrative: After lunch on Sunday, we moved the one nautical mile into Breakwater Marina (28 minutes engine time). After stopping at the fuel dock to show our rego and insurance, we moved into our berth. We spent that afternoon relaxing on the Strand and the kids played at the water park. Monday was spent shopping and stowing groceries, and then this morning we took the kids to Reef HQ. They both have vague recollections of their time living in Townsville.
We left the marina after lunch today at 12:55pm, and set sail for the north side of Magnetic Island. As we came out into Cleveland Bay, the winds were NE at 15-20kts. We sailed on a close reach with one reef in the main and the head sail furled to 110%, which had us making 6.5kts through the water. It was great sailing for the first 45 minutes or so, and then the wind died to about 5kts so we dropped sail and motored the rest of the way. We rounded West Point and went across the top of Magnetic Island to Horseshoe Bay, where we anchored at 3:25pm.
The kids finished their school work while I set up some fishing lines and went ashore for a quick look around. Through the afternoon, we landed two more small sharks (one on squid and one on a prawn) and let them both go.
I made a phone call on Thursday about getting my hands on a few paper charts to cover some gaps as we continue north. I called again a few times yesterday and today, but with no luck. I got a return call this evening confirming they have some charts for me, so we will take the time tomorrow to head back to Townsville to pick them up. Tomorrow night will be spent either here again or further north, depending on weather.
End Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.64'S, 146o 51.62'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1347nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 09 min (cumulative: 164 hr 38 min)
Sunday 23 October 2011
22nd October, 2011
Start Loc: Upstart Bay (19o 43.68'S, 147o 45.37'E)
Narrative: We spent yesterday anchored in Upstart Bay. It was still blowing 25-30kts so we decided we would sit it out for another 24 hours, and remained quite comfortably where we were. The kids did a lot of school work and we generally relaxed. I put three lines in; my light boat rod with a prawn, my heavy rig with a gang-hooked squid, and a pilchard on the small sawn-off rod we use for trolling. At one stage yesterday afternoon, the reel on the sawn-off started running. I reeled another shark (about the same size as the last one) to the back of the boat, and then it snapped my 40lb steel trace and took off with the hook still in its mouth.
I got up at first light this morning (about 5:40am) to turn off the mooring light and put the baits back in the water. About an hour and a half later the heavy rig started running. I slowly increased the drag to slow down whatever it was, but didn't even get to starting to wind in before the 40lb trace again snapped. I changed to a 55lb line trace, but will need to get some heavier gear in Townsville!
We ran the engine yesterday for 38 minutes for hot water and to put some charge in the batteries. It has been overcast so the solar panels are not producing as much power as we are using.
We raised the anchor at 9:17am this morning and a couple of minutes later motored out of Upstart Bay to where the wind was, then set a course for Cape Bowling Green (about 35nm NW). The wind was E at 20kts and seas were about 2.5m. Our compass heading of 325 degrees had us sailing on a broad reach at about 5.5kts boat speed, with two reefs in the main and the head sail reduced to 100%. Leeway and tide meant we made good a course of 319 degrees magnetic and a speed over ground of about 6.5kts. The waves over our starboard quarter meant that we rolled a bit, but it was not an uncomfortable trip. We gave Cape Bowling Green a wide berth as we rounded the cape, then sailed south until clear of the sandbanks, before dropping sail and motoring SE to towards the bottom of Bowling Green Bay.
Cape Bowling Green is unique along this part of the coast in that it is low land built on sand, as opposed to a tall rocky headland. That meant there was not much protection from the wind so we were still getting 1m seas. It is also a shallow bay, and accounting for the tidal range we would have to anchor literally miles off shore. As we motored in just before 4:00pm, Heather called a quick family conference and it was decided we would continue the 25nm or so to Cape Cleveland. We would then decide if we would anchor in the lee of the cape or continue the 10nm into Townsville. So we raised sail again and sailed on a heading of 300 degrees for Cape Cleveland.
The winds were ESE, generally around 20kts, with seas of 2.5m. We again had two reefs in the main, but less than 100% head sail. With the wind and waves off our starboard quarter we generally made 6.5kts over ground. The sun set at 18:15pm and nautical twilight was just after 7:00pm, so it was dark as we approached Cape Cleveland. We sailed into the red sector of the Cape Cleveland light and passed between Salamander Reef and Four Foot Rock (half a mile either side of us, although we couldn't see either). When we were safely in the white sector of the light again, we altered course and sailed around the cape just before 8:30pm.
We decided to head into Townsville, so sailed under full head sail (no main) towards the light at the top of Castle Hill. With seas now only about 1m it was a pleasant sail under a mostly starry sky, but some lightning in the clouds over Magnetic Island. There was not much traffic in the shipping channel (mainly the Magnetic Island ferries) and we crossed it close in to the port. We rounded the end of the offshore breakwater and anchored just inside at 10:20pm. It is shallow and with the early morning low tide there will be just centimetres under the keel. The same low tide on Monday is 20cm less, but we can find a better spot tomorrow morning; after a good sleep.
End Loc: Townsville (19o 14.52'S, 146o 49.66'E)
Distance run: 79nm (cumulative: 1331nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 162 hr 01 min)
Narrative: We spent yesterday anchored in Upstart Bay. It was still blowing 25-30kts so we decided we would sit it out for another 24 hours, and remained quite comfortably where we were. The kids did a lot of school work and we generally relaxed. I put three lines in; my light boat rod with a prawn, my heavy rig with a gang-hooked squid, and a pilchard on the small sawn-off rod we use for trolling. At one stage yesterday afternoon, the reel on the sawn-off started running. I reeled another shark (about the same size as the last one) to the back of the boat, and then it snapped my 40lb steel trace and took off with the hook still in its mouth.
I got up at first light this morning (about 5:40am) to turn off the mooring light and put the baits back in the water. About an hour and a half later the heavy rig started running. I slowly increased the drag to slow down whatever it was, but didn't even get to starting to wind in before the 40lb trace again snapped. I changed to a 55lb line trace, but will need to get some heavier gear in Townsville!
We ran the engine yesterday for 38 minutes for hot water and to put some charge in the batteries. It has been overcast so the solar panels are not producing as much power as we are using.
We raised the anchor at 9:17am this morning and a couple of minutes later motored out of Upstart Bay to where the wind was, then set a course for Cape Bowling Green (about 35nm NW). The wind was E at 20kts and seas were about 2.5m. Our compass heading of 325 degrees had us sailing on a broad reach at about 5.5kts boat speed, with two reefs in the main and the head sail reduced to 100%. Leeway and tide meant we made good a course of 319 degrees magnetic and a speed over ground of about 6.5kts. The waves over our starboard quarter meant that we rolled a bit, but it was not an uncomfortable trip. We gave Cape Bowling Green a wide berth as we rounded the cape, then sailed south until clear of the sandbanks, before dropping sail and motoring SE to towards the bottom of Bowling Green Bay.
Cape Bowling Green is unique along this part of the coast in that it is low land built on sand, as opposed to a tall rocky headland. That meant there was not much protection from the wind so we were still getting 1m seas. It is also a shallow bay, and accounting for the tidal range we would have to anchor literally miles off shore. As we motored in just before 4:00pm, Heather called a quick family conference and it was decided we would continue the 25nm or so to Cape Cleveland. We would then decide if we would anchor in the lee of the cape or continue the 10nm into Townsville. So we raised sail again and sailed on a heading of 300 degrees for Cape Cleveland.
The winds were ESE, generally around 20kts, with seas of 2.5m. We again had two reefs in the main, but less than 100% head sail. With the wind and waves off our starboard quarter we generally made 6.5kts over ground. The sun set at 18:15pm and nautical twilight was just after 7:00pm, so it was dark as we approached Cape Cleveland. We sailed into the red sector of the Cape Cleveland light and passed between Salamander Reef and Four Foot Rock (half a mile either side of us, although we couldn't see either). When we were safely in the white sector of the light again, we altered course and sailed around the cape just before 8:30pm.
We decided to head into Townsville, so sailed under full head sail (no main) towards the light at the top of Castle Hill. With seas now only about 1m it was a pleasant sail under a mostly starry sky, but some lightning in the clouds over Magnetic Island. There was not much traffic in the shipping channel (mainly the Magnetic Island ferries) and we crossed it close in to the port. We rounded the end of the offshore breakwater and anchored just inside at 10:20pm. It is shallow and with the early morning low tide there will be just centimetres under the keel. The same low tide on Monday is 20cm less, but we can find a better spot tomorrow morning; after a good sleep.
End Loc: Townsville (19o 14.52'S, 146o 49.66'E)
Distance run: 79nm (cumulative: 1331nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 162 hr 01 min)
Thursday 20 October 2011
20th October, 2011
Start Loc: Bowen Boat Harbour (20o 01.05'S, 148o 15.35'E)
Narrative: We spent the last 5 nights in Bowen as the winds picked up to a constant 25-30kts. We had fun in Bowen, but it was time to move on. The money we were paying to stay there was not worth the facilities we had (or rather, didn't have). The NQCYC were charging $57 per night, for which you could have the pleasure of walking 600m to the caravan park if you wanted to use a laundry. We ended up berthing at Bowen Marina for $50 per night, but had to provide our own toilet paper and the bathrooms were not cleaned while we were there. That said, we got all our washing and shopping done and spent a bit of time relaxing. Five nights was enough though, so despite the forecast of continuing SE winds at 25-30kts, we decided we would head out and continue moving in the right direction.
Before we left this morning we had to refuel. Yesterday I spoke to Arabon Seafoods (one of two seafood co-ops that have diesel for their trawler fleets that they also sell to the public) and arranged to get fuel this morning. We motored down there after casting off only to discover that all the trawlers were still in, so we couldn't get in. A quick phone call to them confirmed they would be of no help. We then rang the other fishing co-op and they directed us to a spot near there fuel. It turned out to be full of dinghys, but at least there was an empty berth we could use. I went to reverse in so the filler cap was near the jetty, but the wind ended up getting the bow and blowing us towards another boat. It was a fraction too late when I aborted and we were pushing off his dinghy (on davits), and ended up with two bent stanchions - something else to fix! We came around and ended up bow in, but had to raft up to another boat so the pump hose could reach.
Refuelled: 82.00L @ 149.89c/L = $122.90
Economy since 19 Sep: 82.00L for 50 hr 03 min = 1.64L/hr
Economy overall: 280.25L for 157 hr 44 min = 1.78L/hr
After the whole debacle, it was definitely time to move on. We motored out of the harbour at 10:58am and past Stone Island. With SE winds, we were on a broad reach as we sailed north to Cape Edgecumbe, with two reefs in the main and reduced head sail. Once we cleared North Rock, we changed to a NW course which had us running. The main robbed the head sail of wind, so we tried wing on wing but ended up with one reef in the main and no head sail, and stayed that way for the next 30nm or so, past the Abbot Point coal loading facility to Cape Upstart. As we sailed east across the top of Cape Upstart we were on almost a broad reach, so I let a little head sail out as well. We lowered sail as we came around the north west corner of the cape, motored into upstart bay at 5:15pm. It took a few goes to set the anchor, but we made sure it was set properly as the wind is still blowing at 25-30kts.
Throughout the trip, the winds were SE at between 20 and 30kts, and swell and seas were between 2.5 and 4.5m. We covered the 43nm in 6 1/4 hours, averaging 6.88kts over ground. The strongest wind gust I noticed was 37.2kts. We also set two new boat speed records; firstly 9.5kts and then 10.3kts through the water. I was again using the yacht as a 41ft surfboard when we reached these two speeds. I am tired from being on the helm all day in rough seas, but it was not a bad day.
End Loc: Upstart Bay (19o 43.68'S, 147o 45.37'E)
Distance run: 43nm (cumulative: 1252nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 13 min (cumulative: 159 hr 57 min)
Narrative: We spent the last 5 nights in Bowen as the winds picked up to a constant 25-30kts. We had fun in Bowen, but it was time to move on. The money we were paying to stay there was not worth the facilities we had (or rather, didn't have). The NQCYC were charging $57 per night, for which you could have the pleasure of walking 600m to the caravan park if you wanted to use a laundry. We ended up berthing at Bowen Marina for $50 per night, but had to provide our own toilet paper and the bathrooms were not cleaned while we were there. That said, we got all our washing and shopping done and spent a bit of time relaxing. Five nights was enough though, so despite the forecast of continuing SE winds at 25-30kts, we decided we would head out and continue moving in the right direction.
Before we left this morning we had to refuel. Yesterday I spoke to Arabon Seafoods (one of two seafood co-ops that have diesel for their trawler fleets that they also sell to the public) and arranged to get fuel this morning. We motored down there after casting off only to discover that all the trawlers were still in, so we couldn't get in. A quick phone call to them confirmed they would be of no help. We then rang the other fishing co-op and they directed us to a spot near there fuel. It turned out to be full of dinghys, but at least there was an empty berth we could use. I went to reverse in so the filler cap was near the jetty, but the wind ended up getting the bow and blowing us towards another boat. It was a fraction too late when I aborted and we were pushing off his dinghy (on davits), and ended up with two bent stanchions - something else to fix! We came around and ended up bow in, but had to raft up to another boat so the pump hose could reach.
Refuelled: 82.00L @ 149.89c/L = $122.90
Economy since 19 Sep: 82.00L for 50 hr 03 min = 1.64L/hr
Economy overall: 280.25L for 157 hr 44 min = 1.78L/hr
After the whole debacle, it was definitely time to move on. We motored out of the harbour at 10:58am and past Stone Island. With SE winds, we were on a broad reach as we sailed north to Cape Edgecumbe, with two reefs in the main and reduced head sail. Once we cleared North Rock, we changed to a NW course which had us running. The main robbed the head sail of wind, so we tried wing on wing but ended up with one reef in the main and no head sail, and stayed that way for the next 30nm or so, past the Abbot Point coal loading facility to Cape Upstart. As we sailed east across the top of Cape Upstart we were on almost a broad reach, so I let a little head sail out as well. We lowered sail as we came around the north west corner of the cape, motored into upstart bay at 5:15pm. It took a few goes to set the anchor, but we made sure it was set properly as the wind is still blowing at 25-30kts.
Throughout the trip, the winds were SE at between 20 and 30kts, and swell and seas were between 2.5 and 4.5m. We covered the 43nm in 6 1/4 hours, averaging 6.88kts over ground. The strongest wind gust I noticed was 37.2kts. We also set two new boat speed records; firstly 9.5kts and then 10.3kts through the water. I was again using the yacht as a 41ft surfboard when we reached these two speeds. I am tired from being on the helm all day in rough seas, but it was not a bad day.
End Loc: Upstart Bay (19o 43.68'S, 147o 45.37'E)
Distance run: 43nm (cumulative: 1252nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 13 min (cumulative: 159 hr 57 min)
Sunday 16 October 2011
15th October, 2011
Start Loc: Bona Bay, Gloucester Island (20o 02.52'S, 148o 26.61'E)
Narrative: We happily spent Friday 14 October anchored at Bona Bay as well, and had one of our typically lazy days - it is after all why we are doing this! We ran the engine for 26 minutes.
The winds switched to NW overnight, so we started to roll around a bit. Enough so that first thing this morning, Heather suggested we move to somewhere a little more protected before we had breakfast. I would like to visit the Gloucester Eco Resort but that would also be too exposed, so at 7:30am we raised anchor and motored the 3nm back to Breakfast Bay. We were anchored there by 8:00am but it still took a couple of attempts; even with plenty of chain out. Breakfast Bay really is poor holding.
The N winds bend around the bottom of Gloucester Island with very little drop in strength, and may even accelerate a bit, so we had W winds. The winds were forecast to increase in strength to around 25kts by evening. While Breakfast Bay was still fairly calm, I was concerned that with strong winds and poor holding we would potentially drag anchor. Once the tide changed and we had wind against tide it would also play havoc a bit and probably ride us forward so the anchor chain rubs against the hull. In short, I didn't want to spend the night in Breakfast Bay with 25kt winds, knowing I wouldn't get much sleep as I would be constantly checking the anchor and/or the chain would be rubbing on the hull. I convinced Heather we should head for Bowen a day earlier then planned.
After a few phone calls earlier in the day I had booked us into a berth at the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club on Monday (so we will have shore power after shopping), and we would take a fore and aft pile berth for Saturday and Sunday. We left Breakfast Bay at 1:40pm, and after motoring clear of the passage, set sail for Bowen. The wind was NNW at around 20kts so our W course had us sailing on a close reach. With two reefs in the main and reduced head sail we sailed at 5.5-6kts boat speed, with an extra knot or so of tidal assistance. It was a great sail for a couple of hours. As we came to the channel on the south side of Stone Island, we put the sails away and motored into wind up into the harbour. This was the first time we have taken up a pile mooring, and it was interesting to say the least. The wind didn't help, and I think it would be easier with a couple more adult crew, but the kids both did great and we were tied up by 4:00pm.
We will have a look at Bowen tomorrow, including watching the rugby world cup semi-final, and then move in to our berth and do the shopping on Monday.
End Loc: Bowen Boat Harbour (20o 01.05'S, 148o 15.35'E)
Distance run: 16nm (cumulative: 1209nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 02 min (cumulative: 157 hr 44 min)
Narrative: We happily spent Friday 14 October anchored at Bona Bay as well, and had one of our typically lazy days - it is after all why we are doing this! We ran the engine for 26 minutes.
The winds switched to NW overnight, so we started to roll around a bit. Enough so that first thing this morning, Heather suggested we move to somewhere a little more protected before we had breakfast. I would like to visit the Gloucester Eco Resort but that would also be too exposed, so at 7:30am we raised anchor and motored the 3nm back to Breakfast Bay. We were anchored there by 8:00am but it still took a couple of attempts; even with plenty of chain out. Breakfast Bay really is poor holding.
The N winds bend around the bottom of Gloucester Island with very little drop in strength, and may even accelerate a bit, so we had W winds. The winds were forecast to increase in strength to around 25kts by evening. While Breakfast Bay was still fairly calm, I was concerned that with strong winds and poor holding we would potentially drag anchor. Once the tide changed and we had wind against tide it would also play havoc a bit and probably ride us forward so the anchor chain rubs against the hull. In short, I didn't want to spend the night in Breakfast Bay with 25kt winds, knowing I wouldn't get much sleep as I would be constantly checking the anchor and/or the chain would be rubbing on the hull. I convinced Heather we should head for Bowen a day earlier then planned.
After a few phone calls earlier in the day I had booked us into a berth at the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club on Monday (so we will have shore power after shopping), and we would take a fore and aft pile berth for Saturday and Sunday. We left Breakfast Bay at 1:40pm, and after motoring clear of the passage, set sail for Bowen. The wind was NNW at around 20kts so our W course had us sailing on a close reach. With two reefs in the main and reduced head sail we sailed at 5.5-6kts boat speed, with an extra knot or so of tidal assistance. It was a great sail for a couple of hours. As we came to the channel on the south side of Stone Island, we put the sails away and motored into wind up into the harbour. This was the first time we have taken up a pile mooring, and it was interesting to say the least. The wind didn't help, and I think it would be easier with a couple more adult crew, but the kids both did great and we were tied up by 4:00pm.
We will have a look at Bowen tomorrow, including watching the rugby world cup semi-final, and then move in to our berth and do the shopping on Monday.
End Loc: Bowen Boat Harbour (20o 01.05'S, 148o 15.35'E)
Distance run: 16nm (cumulative: 1209nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 02 min (cumulative: 157 hr 44 min)
Friday 14 October 2011
13th October, 2011
Start Loc: Breakfast Bay, Gloucester Island (20o 03.24'S, 148o 27.55'E)
Narrative: After a very lazy start to the day, we raised the anchor at 10:55am and sailed under head sail the nautical mile or so to Monte's Reef Resort (20o 03.70'S, 148o 26.88'E). After anchoring at 11:10am, we took the dinghy ashore and had a quick look around. It didn't take long - "resort" is a generous description; it is more beachfront holiday cabins with a bar and restaurant. We had a nice lunch at the restaurant and headed back to the boat.
We left the resort at 2:00pm and motored the rest of the way through Gloucester Passage. We gave the reef a wide berth as we headed north and then north east into Bona Bay. It is a nice little anchorage; good holding and well protected from the NE winds we are getting at the moment.
End Loc: Bona Bay, Gloucester Island (20o 02.52'S, 148o 26.61'E)
Distance run: 3nm (cumulative: 1193nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 40 min (cumulative: 155 hr 16 min)
Narrative: After a very lazy start to the day, we raised the anchor at 10:55am and sailed under head sail the nautical mile or so to Monte's Reef Resort (20o 03.70'S, 148o 26.88'E). After anchoring at 11:10am, we took the dinghy ashore and had a quick look around. It didn't take long - "resort" is a generous description; it is more beachfront holiday cabins with a bar and restaurant. We had a nice lunch at the restaurant and headed back to the boat.
We left the resort at 2:00pm and motored the rest of the way through Gloucester Passage. We gave the reef a wide berth as we headed north and then north east into Bona Bay. It is a nice little anchorage; good holding and well protected from the NE winds we are getting at the moment.
End Loc: Bona Bay, Gloucester Island (20o 02.52'S, 148o 26.61'E)
Distance run: 3nm (cumulative: 1193nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 40 min (cumulative: 155 hr 16 min)
Wednesday 12 October 2011
12th October, 2011
Start Loc: Grassy Island (20o 09.32'S, 148o 36.34'E)
Narrative: We left Grassy Island at 9:20am and headed NNW. The winds were still NNW at 10-15kts, so we again motored into wind. We decided we would just make a short hop to start with, and tow a couple of lures to an unnamed mainland bay on the east side of George Point (20o 05.73'S, 148o 33.29'E). It looked like a bay with a nice beach, where we would have some shelter from the seas, so we dropped anchor 10:30am. We fished for a bit (Cam had something decent that got away from him and I threw back a flathead) and then took the dinghy ashore to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. The beach was not that flash, with lots of rubbish and really course sand. It was back to the boat for lunch before departing at 1:10pm for Breakfast Bay on the southern side of Gloucester Island.
As we rounded the George Point, the wind dropped right off, so we continued motoring. At about 2:30pm it was back up to 8kts from the N, so he let out full head sail and made 4.5kts on a close/beam reach, and gave the engine a rest.
We furled as we neared the reef east of Gloucester Passage (between the island and the mainland), and motored into Breakfast Bay. We anchored at 3:30pm, almost right on low tide, in 6m of water. It took three goes to get the anchor to bite properly, but we made sure it was well bedded as the island can channel the winds and the tidal flow can also be up around 3kts. We rested, fished (Cam again had something bite and run, but get away), read and relaxed. We will take the dinghy ashore tomorrow for a look and a swim.
We plan to spend a couple of days around here before we head in to Bowen for supplies.
End Loc: Breakfast Bay, Gloucester Island (20o 03.24'S, 148o 27.55'E)
Distance run: 14nm (cumulative: 1190nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 00 min (cumulative: 153 hr 36 min)
Narrative: We left Grassy Island at 9:20am and headed NNW. The winds were still NNW at 10-15kts, so we again motored into wind. We decided we would just make a short hop to start with, and tow a couple of lures to an unnamed mainland bay on the east side of George Point (20o 05.73'S, 148o 33.29'E). It looked like a bay with a nice beach, where we would have some shelter from the seas, so we dropped anchor 10:30am. We fished for a bit (Cam had something decent that got away from him and I threw back a flathead) and then took the dinghy ashore to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. The beach was not that flash, with lots of rubbish and really course sand. It was back to the boat for lunch before departing at 1:10pm for Breakfast Bay on the southern side of Gloucester Island.
As we rounded the George Point, the wind dropped right off, so we continued motoring. At about 2:30pm it was back up to 8kts from the N, so he let out full head sail and made 4.5kts on a close/beam reach, and gave the engine a rest.
We furled as we neared the reef east of Gloucester Passage (between the island and the mainland), and motored into Breakfast Bay. We anchored at 3:30pm, almost right on low tide, in 6m of water. It took three goes to get the anchor to bite properly, but we made sure it was well bedded as the island can channel the winds and the tidal flow can also be up around 3kts. We rested, fished (Cam again had something bite and run, but get away), read and relaxed. We will take the dinghy ashore tomorrow for a look and a swim.
We plan to spend a couple of days around here before we head in to Bowen for supplies.
End Loc: Breakfast Bay, Gloucester Island (20o 03.24'S, 148o 27.55'E)
Distance run: 14nm (cumulative: 1190nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 00 min (cumulative: 153 hr 36 min)
11th October, 2011
Start Loc: Shute Harbour (20o 17.76'S, 148o 47.27'E)
Narrative: I found out from talking to some locals that Whitsunday Magic sank at the wharf where she is currently tied up, so it was a different boat we saw sunk near Airlie Beach. The mast next to where we moored in Shute Harbour is on a 65ft steel ketch that sank about two years ago! I can't believe the authorities are letting it sit there as a navigation hazard while the insurance battle drags on.
As far as the shipwright goes, we called him on Sunday afternoon as we came in to Shute Harbour to confirm the arrangements for Monday morning. Heather left a message asking him to call back. When we had not heard from him by 9:30am yesterday, Heather gave him another call. He said he was doing some work on another boat and would not get to us until early afternoon. Bloody slack! When he had finally finished and I dropped him back at the jetty, I started to finish the job by putting the first coat of varnish on. I will do two more coats over the next couple of days.
While I did that, the kids did their standard schoolwork, and then Heather gave them another lesson on fractions. After cleaning up, I took the opportunity to throw a line in, sit in the cockpit and read my book. I heard the line start to go so I jumped to the rod holder, got the retaining strap off, increased the drag and started to wind in. The rod had a fair bend in it and it felt like a decent fish, but I will never know as it bit through the 12lb trace and I lost my hook. Game on ... I decided to take it up a notch, so in addition to re-rigging my light boat rod with the 12lb line, I also put out my heavy deep sea rod with 30lb line, both with a pilchard as bait.
Heather had joined me in the cockpit when the heavy rig started to run slowly. I grabbed it, increased the drag and started winding in some of the slack. This excited whatever was on the other end it took off. It was at this stage I realised it was something big. The line ran out while Heather and I passed the rod to each other and around everything that is in the way of fishing at the back of a yacht, so I could sit on the back step and fight it more easily. I didn't want too much line out because of all the other moorings (not to mention the sunken yacht next to us) which would give it the opportunity to snap my line, so I increased the drag again and was pulling and winding to bring it around. The line went a bit slack and started turning from off the stern to up the port side of the boat which gave me the opportunity to wind in a bit. When the line was reaching level with the boat, a shark breached moving quickly. I estimate it was about 1.8m long and showing us its belly. My exclamation of "That was a shark!" brought the kids upstairs. It turned and started to run again and I had to give it some line as it switched around the stern to the starboard side of the boat. Everyone helped by winding in the other line, moving the dinghy forward, getting the gaff, and grabbing the camera!
The rod is a short, heavy, solid fibreglass rod, and it had a good bend in it! I fought it for another minute or so to try and tire it before it snapped the trace below the swivel and the line went slack.
I am not certain if I hooked the shark or if the shark was simply trying to make a meal of whatever I had hooked, but Heather thinks it was the shark that was hooked. Either way, what was on the hook was something heavy. It got the heart pumping and was an exhilarating few minutes.
We ran the engine for 21 minutes to give us hot water for showers.
We left Shute Harbour at 10:40am today, bound for Grassy Island. The forecast winds were N/NW at 10-15kts. They were basically NW, as was our heading, so we motored. We initially made for Roseric Shoal, a rock formation rising 13m from the seabed in 20m of water, located north of Airlie Beach at 20o 10.92'S, 148o 42.58'E. It wasn't too rough, so we figured we would anchor and have lunch while trying a spot of fishing. We anchored at 12:00pm, but had no luck with the fish, so we left again at 2:10pm.
Our course to Grassy Island was basically WNW and the wind had swung to NNW at 12kts, so we sailed. With one reef in the main and full head sail we made 6kts, sailing between a close haul and a close reach. There were two other yachts anchored on the southern side of Grassy Island when we arrived and dropped anchor at 3:30pm.
End Loc: Grassy Island (20o 09.32'S, 148o 36.34'E)
Distance run: 16nm (cumulative: 1176nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 150 hr 36 min)
Narrative: I found out from talking to some locals that Whitsunday Magic sank at the wharf where she is currently tied up, so it was a different boat we saw sunk near Airlie Beach. The mast next to where we moored in Shute Harbour is on a 65ft steel ketch that sank about two years ago! I can't believe the authorities are letting it sit there as a navigation hazard while the insurance battle drags on.
As far as the shipwright goes, we called him on Sunday afternoon as we came in to Shute Harbour to confirm the arrangements for Monday morning. Heather left a message asking him to call back. When we had not heard from him by 9:30am yesterday, Heather gave him another call. He said he was doing some work on another boat and would not get to us until early afternoon. Bloody slack! When he had finally finished and I dropped him back at the jetty, I started to finish the job by putting the first coat of varnish on. I will do two more coats over the next couple of days.
While I did that, the kids did their standard schoolwork, and then Heather gave them another lesson on fractions. After cleaning up, I took the opportunity to throw a line in, sit in the cockpit and read my book. I heard the line start to go so I jumped to the rod holder, got the retaining strap off, increased the drag and started to wind in. The rod had a fair bend in it and it felt like a decent fish, but I will never know as it bit through the 12lb trace and I lost my hook. Game on ... I decided to take it up a notch, so in addition to re-rigging my light boat rod with the 12lb line, I also put out my heavy deep sea rod with 30lb line, both with a pilchard as bait.
Heather had joined me in the cockpit when the heavy rig started to run slowly. I grabbed it, increased the drag and started winding in some of the slack. This excited whatever was on the other end it took off. It was at this stage I realised it was something big. The line ran out while Heather and I passed the rod to each other and around everything that is in the way of fishing at the back of a yacht, so I could sit on the back step and fight it more easily. I didn't want too much line out because of all the other moorings (not to mention the sunken yacht next to us) which would give it the opportunity to snap my line, so I increased the drag again and was pulling and winding to bring it around. The line went a bit slack and started turning from off the stern to up the port side of the boat which gave me the opportunity to wind in a bit. When the line was reaching level with the boat, a shark breached moving quickly. I estimate it was about 1.8m long and showing us its belly. My exclamation of "That was a shark!" brought the kids upstairs. It turned and started to run again and I had to give it some line as it switched around the stern to the starboard side of the boat. Everyone helped by winding in the other line, moving the dinghy forward, getting the gaff, and grabbing the camera!
The rod is a short, heavy, solid fibreglass rod, and it had a good bend in it! I fought it for another minute or so to try and tire it before it snapped the trace below the swivel and the line went slack.
I am not certain if I hooked the shark or if the shark was simply trying to make a meal of whatever I had hooked, but Heather thinks it was the shark that was hooked. Either way, what was on the hook was something heavy. It got the heart pumping and was an exhilarating few minutes.
We ran the engine for 21 minutes to give us hot water for showers.
We left Shute Harbour at 10:40am today, bound for Grassy Island. The forecast winds were N/NW at 10-15kts. They were basically NW, as was our heading, so we motored. We initially made for Roseric Shoal, a rock formation rising 13m from the seabed in 20m of water, located north of Airlie Beach at 20o 10.92'S, 148o 42.58'E. It wasn't too rough, so we figured we would anchor and have lunch while trying a spot of fishing. We anchored at 12:00pm, but had no luck with the fish, so we left again at 2:10pm.
Our course to Grassy Island was basically WNW and the wind had swung to NNW at 12kts, so we sailed. With one reef in the main and full head sail we made 6kts, sailing between a close haul and a close reach. There were two other yachts anchored on the southern side of Grassy Island when we arrived and dropped anchor at 3:30pm.
End Loc: Grassy Island (20o 09.32'S, 148o 36.34'E)
Distance run: 16nm (cumulative: 1176nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 150 hr 36 min)
Monday 10 October 2011
9th October, 2011
Start Loc: Hamilton Island (20o 20.72'S, 148o 57.01'E)
Narrative: I was reminded that we are dealing with North Queensland tradesmen. They are a breed unto themselves. Promises mean nothing and they either don't own a watch or can't tell the time.
On Thursday when we got in to Hamilton, we rang the shipwright to let him know we were in. That was when he told me his plan was to do the work on Friday, let the glue set overnight and then come back and re-seat the cleats etc on Saturday; hence we booked in for the extra nights. He came on Friday morning, pulled the cleats out, and glued and clamped the toe rails. When I spoke to him about finishing the job on Saturday, he said he wasn't coming to the island on Saturday and was in fact spending the day with his son. The outcome was that we didn't need to book in the extra nights, and now had to change our plans and go to Shute Harbour on Sunday afternoon so he can finish it all on Monday. I am unimpressed.
Maintenance wise, I achieved a lot. On Thursday we got the new dinghy wheels fitted, which means no more carrying the dinghy up and down the beach.
On Friday, as well as the shipwright doing his stuff, while the family did their final preparations to go to Sydney I sewed some velcro back in place on the bimini and waterproofed the two outboard motor covers. After dropping the family at the airport, I rearranged the kids' cabins so that I could open all the engine access panels, removed the frame for the emergency bilge pump, put a steel wire brush over the rusted surfaces on the engine mounts and the motor itself, and finally sprayed it all with rust convertor.
After breakfast on Saturday, I cleaned off all the places I needed to paint, and then sprayed them all with primer. I did some small jobs that needed doing while the primer dried, then after lunch sprayed the engine mounts with their first top coat and touched up the engine bits (with the tin of expensive Volvo Penta touch-up paint). While all that dried, I scrubbed clean the bimini, dodger and link sheet.
This morning I gave the engine mounts their second top coat. While that dried I waterproofed the bimini, dodger and link sheet. I then reassembled the emergency bilge pump frame and drive belt, and put the kids' cabins back in order. I had time to give the boat another scrub down on the topside to clean off the bird poo before going to the airport to meet the family.
Hamilton were good enough to give us a "late check out" of 2:00pm as the flight was due in at 1:35pm. Due to the flight being delayed, we ended up leaving Hamilton a little later than we had arranged, at 3:20pm. The winds were NW at 8kts. Our WNW course to Shute Harbour meant that we motored all the way, and we took up a mooring in the small craft mooring area at 5:17pm.
As we came in to Shute Harbour, we saw Whitsunday Magic, a three-masted tall ship that sank near Airlie Beach. I saw the Notice to Mariners about a month ago and then we saw two of her three masts sticking out of the water as we sailed past the first two times we went into Abel Point; the third time she had been recovered. She looked a bit worse for wear and it will be some time before she gets back to carrying tourists around. As we came into pick up the mooring buoy, we noticed about 30m away a small 'special' buoy attached to the top of a mast that was sticking about 1m out of the water - not a good way to park your boat!
Overall, I achieved a lot while the family was away. We have confirmed that we will do as much of the maintenance/repairs as we can, rather than rely upon other people. The family enjoyed their time in Sydney, and are looking forward to a good night's sleep.
End Loc: Shute Harbour (20o 17.76'S, 148o 47.27'E)
Distance run: 11nm (cumulative: 1160nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 57 min (cumulative: 147 hr 49 min)
Narrative: I was reminded that we are dealing with North Queensland tradesmen. They are a breed unto themselves. Promises mean nothing and they either don't own a watch or can't tell the time.
On Thursday when we got in to Hamilton, we rang the shipwright to let him know we were in. That was when he told me his plan was to do the work on Friday, let the glue set overnight and then come back and re-seat the cleats etc on Saturday; hence we booked in for the extra nights. He came on Friday morning, pulled the cleats out, and glued and clamped the toe rails. When I spoke to him about finishing the job on Saturday, he said he wasn't coming to the island on Saturday and was in fact spending the day with his son. The outcome was that we didn't need to book in the extra nights, and now had to change our plans and go to Shute Harbour on Sunday afternoon so he can finish it all on Monday. I am unimpressed.
Maintenance wise, I achieved a lot. On Thursday we got the new dinghy wheels fitted, which means no more carrying the dinghy up and down the beach.
On Friday, as well as the shipwright doing his stuff, while the family did their final preparations to go to Sydney I sewed some velcro back in place on the bimini and waterproofed the two outboard motor covers. After dropping the family at the airport, I rearranged the kids' cabins so that I could open all the engine access panels, removed the frame for the emergency bilge pump, put a steel wire brush over the rusted surfaces on the engine mounts and the motor itself, and finally sprayed it all with rust convertor.
After breakfast on Saturday, I cleaned off all the places I needed to paint, and then sprayed them all with primer. I did some small jobs that needed doing while the primer dried, then after lunch sprayed the engine mounts with their first top coat and touched up the engine bits (with the tin of expensive Volvo Penta touch-up paint). While all that dried, I scrubbed clean the bimini, dodger and link sheet.
This morning I gave the engine mounts their second top coat. While that dried I waterproofed the bimini, dodger and link sheet. I then reassembled the emergency bilge pump frame and drive belt, and put the kids' cabins back in order. I had time to give the boat another scrub down on the topside to clean off the bird poo before going to the airport to meet the family.
Hamilton were good enough to give us a "late check out" of 2:00pm as the flight was due in at 1:35pm. Due to the flight being delayed, we ended up leaving Hamilton a little later than we had arranged, at 3:20pm. The winds were NW at 8kts. Our WNW course to Shute Harbour meant that we motored all the way, and we took up a mooring in the small craft mooring area at 5:17pm.
As we came in to Shute Harbour, we saw Whitsunday Magic, a three-masted tall ship that sank near Airlie Beach. I saw the Notice to Mariners about a month ago and then we saw two of her three masts sticking out of the water as we sailed past the first two times we went into Abel Point; the third time she had been recovered. She looked a bit worse for wear and it will be some time before she gets back to carrying tourists around. As we came into pick up the mooring buoy, we noticed about 30m away a small 'special' buoy attached to the top of a mast that was sticking about 1m out of the water - not a good way to park your boat!
Overall, I achieved a lot while the family was away. We have confirmed that we will do as much of the maintenance/repairs as we can, rather than rely upon other people. The family enjoyed their time in Sydney, and are looking forward to a good night's sleep.
End Loc: Shute Harbour (20o 17.76'S, 148o 47.27'E)
Distance run: 11nm (cumulative: 1160nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 57 min (cumulative: 147 hr 49 min)
Friday 7 October 2011
6th October, 2011
Start Loc: Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island (20o 15.90'S, 148o 57.47'E)
Narrative: We left Cid Harbour at 9:20am. Winds were from the NW and light at 5-10kts. Our southerly heading reduced the wind to an apparent strength of 5kts and less, so we motored most of the way to Hamilton.
As we approached Hamilton, we checked in by VHF to confirmed our berth allocation, and motored into the marina at 10:45am. We were moored in the berth by 10:55am.
I phoned the shipwright we had spoken to about repairing the splits in the teak toe rails around two of the cleats. His plan was to do the work tomorrow and leave the teak glued and clamped overnight. That didn't quite fit with us as we were only planning on spending the one night in the marina. We need to get the toe rails fixed, so in the end we booked into the marina for three nights. I will stay here and work through the long maintenance list I have while Heather, Haydee and Cameron are away at the wedding. The sacrifices I make ...
End Loc: Hamilton Island (20o 20.72'S, 148o 57.01'E)
Distance run: 8nm (cumulative: 1149nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 22 min (cumulative: 145 hr 52 min)
Narrative: We left Cid Harbour at 9:20am. Winds were from the NW and light at 5-10kts. Our southerly heading reduced the wind to an apparent strength of 5kts and less, so we motored most of the way to Hamilton.
As we approached Hamilton, we checked in by VHF to confirmed our berth allocation, and motored into the marina at 10:45am. We were moored in the berth by 10:55am.
I phoned the shipwright we had spoken to about repairing the splits in the teak toe rails around two of the cleats. His plan was to do the work tomorrow and leave the teak glued and clamped overnight. That didn't quite fit with us as we were only planning on spending the one night in the marina. We need to get the toe rails fixed, so in the end we booked into the marina for three nights. I will stay here and work through the long maintenance list I have while Heather, Haydee and Cameron are away at the wedding. The sacrifices I make ...
End Loc: Hamilton Island (20o 20.72'S, 148o 57.01'E)
Distance run: 8nm (cumulative: 1149nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 22 min (cumulative: 145 hr 52 min)
Thursday 6 October 2011
5th October, 2011
Start Loc: Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island (20o 02.46'S, 148o 52.85'E)
Narrative: The kids decided they wanted to spend the morning at Blue Pearl Bay and do some more snorkeling and swimming, so we did. We decided that we would therefore sail down the west side of Hook Island and Whitsunday Island to Cid Harbour, and spend the night there again. That will make it a fairly short trip into Hamilton tomorrow.
We left Blue Pearl Bay after lunch at 1:25pm. The forecast was for S/SE winds at 10-15kts. When we left Blue Pearl Bay we had E winds at 10kts, so we sailed south from Hayman Island on a beam reach with full sail. As we cleared Hayman, the wind came a bit more south and freshened to around 13kts, but with gusts up to 18kts, so we took a reef in the main and reduced head sail to 110%, sailing on a close reach at 6kts.
I stayed a mile or so off Hook Island to keep some clean wind, but it still had its moments of less than 5kts. On average, we sailed between close hauled and a close reach in SSE winds at 10-15kts, making 5-6kts through the water. Seas and swell were less than 1m, so it was a comfortable sail that I really enjoyed. We were anchored in Sawmill Bay at the southern end of Cid Harbour by 4:10pm.
The winds are due to swing N/NE tomorrow, so it should be a fairly quick run down to Hamilton in the morning. We will spend the night in the marina before Heather and the kids fly out on Friday. Given the forecast for Friday and Saturday is for N/NW winds, I will probably move to Turtle or Chance Bay on the south side of Whitsunday Island to do the work I need to do on the engine.
End Loc: Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island (20o 15.90'S, 148o 57.47'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1141nm)
Engine hours: 0 hr, 51 min (cumulative: 144 hr 30 min)
Narrative: The kids decided they wanted to spend the morning at Blue Pearl Bay and do some more snorkeling and swimming, so we did. We decided that we would therefore sail down the west side of Hook Island and Whitsunday Island to Cid Harbour, and spend the night there again. That will make it a fairly short trip into Hamilton tomorrow.
We left Blue Pearl Bay after lunch at 1:25pm. The forecast was for S/SE winds at 10-15kts. When we left Blue Pearl Bay we had E winds at 10kts, so we sailed south from Hayman Island on a beam reach with full sail. As we cleared Hayman, the wind came a bit more south and freshened to around 13kts, but with gusts up to 18kts, so we took a reef in the main and reduced head sail to 110%, sailing on a close reach at 6kts.
I stayed a mile or so off Hook Island to keep some clean wind, but it still had its moments of less than 5kts. On average, we sailed between close hauled and a close reach in SSE winds at 10-15kts, making 5-6kts through the water. Seas and swell were less than 1m, so it was a comfortable sail that I really enjoyed. We were anchored in Sawmill Bay at the southern end of Cid Harbour by 4:10pm.
The winds are due to swing N/NE tomorrow, so it should be a fairly quick run down to Hamilton in the morning. We will spend the night in the marina before Heather and the kids fly out on Friday. Given the forecast for Friday and Saturday is for N/NW winds, I will probably move to Turtle or Chance Bay on the south side of Whitsunday Island to do the work I need to do on the engine.
End Loc: Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island (20o 15.90'S, 148o 57.47'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1141nm)
Engine hours: 0 hr, 51 min (cumulative: 144 hr 30 min)
Tuesday 4 October 2011
4th October, 2011
Start Loc: Macona Inlet, Hook Island (20o 09.37'S, 148o 55.87'E)
Narrative: We left Macona Inlet at 9:10am The forecast was for winds S/SE at 15-20kts, but they appeared to be more easterly. With 15-20kts, seas to 1.7m and swell of 1.5m, we decided it would probably be a bit uncomfortable fishing around Deloraine Island. We decided that instead we would head up the west side of Hook Island and the east side of Hayman Island, then around to Blue Pearl Bay on the west side of Hayman.
The winds were all over the shop in both strength and direction, and we ended up having the engine running for most of the trip. We didn't get anything on the two lures before we had to pull them in as we came across the north of Hayman Island. Blue Pearl Bay was not as crowded as last time we were here, and we picked up a red mooring buoy (monos to 35m) at 12:10pm. A blue mooring buoy (monos to 20m) became available so we moved to it to free up the red for larger boats.
After lunch, Cameron and I took the dinghy back around the top of Hayman Island to do some fishing. Not much to speak of here either. I caught a 30cm fusilier but let it go, and I caught a small, colourful reef fish of some sort. I let the latter go as well, but just after I released it and it was still near the surface, a sea eagle swooped and took it for lunch.
The winds are supposed to ease to 10-15kts tomorrow, so again we will see how the weather is before we commit. I would like to finish near Whitehaven or Chalkies Beach so it is not far to Hamilton on Thursday.
End Loc: Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island (20o 02.46'S, 148o 52.85'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1126nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 39 min (cumulative: 143 hr 39 min)
Narrative: We left Macona Inlet at 9:10am The forecast was for winds S/SE at 15-20kts, but they appeared to be more easterly. With 15-20kts, seas to 1.7m and swell of 1.5m, we decided it would probably be a bit uncomfortable fishing around Deloraine Island. We decided that instead we would head up the west side of Hook Island and the east side of Hayman Island, then around to Blue Pearl Bay on the west side of Hayman.
The winds were all over the shop in both strength and direction, and we ended up having the engine running for most of the trip. We didn't get anything on the two lures before we had to pull them in as we came across the north of Hayman Island. Blue Pearl Bay was not as crowded as last time we were here, and we picked up a red mooring buoy (monos to 35m) at 12:10pm. A blue mooring buoy (monos to 20m) became available so we moved to it to free up the red for larger boats.
After lunch, Cameron and I took the dinghy back around the top of Hayman Island to do some fishing. Not much to speak of here either. I caught a 30cm fusilier but let it go, and I caught a small, colourful reef fish of some sort. I let the latter go as well, but just after I released it and it was still near the surface, a sea eagle swooped and took it for lunch.
The winds are supposed to ease to 10-15kts tomorrow, so again we will see how the weather is before we commit. I would like to finish near Whitehaven or Chalkies Beach so it is not far to Hamilton on Thursday.
End Loc: Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island (20o 02.46'S, 148o 52.85'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1126nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 39 min (cumulative: 143 hr 39 min)
Monday 3 October 2011
3rd October, 2011
Start Loc: Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island (20o 15.89'S, 148o 56.51'E)
Narrative: We left Cid Harbour well after all the charter boats at 10:25am. We unfurled full head sail and sailed most of the 2.5nm around to the west side of Cid Island, and dropped anchor in Homestead Bay just after 11:00am. We took the dinghy ashore and had a quick look around, before Haydee and I left Cameron and Heather on the beach while we went fishing just off Hill Rock. I caught a scarlet-breasted maori wrasse but it was too small so it went back, and a small (baby) cod of some sort. Haydee caught a rock, but I caught two of them as well. Heather and Cameron told us over the UHF that they were bored and hungry, so we picked them up and had lunch back at the boat.
We left Homestead Bay at 2:25pm and headed for Hook Passage. The forecast winds were E/SE at 10-15kts, but we were sailing close hauled into ENE winds closer to 20kts. The ebb tide in our favour gave us 2kts on top of the 5kts we were making through the water, so we made good time. Given the winds were largely E and sometimes a bit north, we were having second thoughts on Cateran Bay as an overnight anchorage as it can get a good swell in E winds. 1.5nm past the passage we counted eight boats in Cateran Bay and another moving in, so it was fairly crowded too. That was the clincher and we opted to turn back and head for Macona Inlet on the southern side of Hook Island. There were three boats at anchor as we came in and joined them just after 5:00pm.
We will see how the weather is tomorrow, but my plan is to head through Hook Passage, past Border Island, and do some fishing around Deloraine Island. I then plan to move back to Border Island to overnight in Cateran Bay.
End Loc: Macona Inlet, Hook Island (20o 09.37'S, 148o 55.87'E)
Distance run: 17nm (cumulative: 1111nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 24 min (cumulative: 141 hr 00 min)
Narrative: We left Cid Harbour well after all the charter boats at 10:25am. We unfurled full head sail and sailed most of the 2.5nm around to the west side of Cid Island, and dropped anchor in Homestead Bay just after 11:00am. We took the dinghy ashore and had a quick look around, before Haydee and I left Cameron and Heather on the beach while we went fishing just off Hill Rock. I caught a scarlet-breasted maori wrasse but it was too small so it went back, and a small (baby) cod of some sort. Haydee caught a rock, but I caught two of them as well. Heather and Cameron told us over the UHF that they were bored and hungry, so we picked them up and had lunch back at the boat.
We left Homestead Bay at 2:25pm and headed for Hook Passage. The forecast winds were E/SE at 10-15kts, but we were sailing close hauled into ENE winds closer to 20kts. The ebb tide in our favour gave us 2kts on top of the 5kts we were making through the water, so we made good time. Given the winds were largely E and sometimes a bit north, we were having second thoughts on Cateran Bay as an overnight anchorage as it can get a good swell in E winds. 1.5nm past the passage we counted eight boats in Cateran Bay and another moving in, so it was fairly crowded too. That was the clincher and we opted to turn back and head for Macona Inlet on the southern side of Hook Island. There were three boats at anchor as we came in and joined them just after 5:00pm.
We will see how the weather is tomorrow, but my plan is to head through Hook Passage, past Border Island, and do some fishing around Deloraine Island. I then plan to move back to Border Island to overnight in Cateran Bay.
End Loc: Macona Inlet, Hook Island (20o 09.37'S, 148o 55.87'E)
Distance run: 17nm (cumulative: 1111nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 24 min (cumulative: 141 hr 00 min)
Sunday 2 October 2011
2nd October, 2011
Start Loc: Daydream Island (20o 15.36'S, 148o 49.00'E)
Narrative: We spent yesterday afternoon swimming, reading and generally relaxing by the pool. After home made pizza on the boat, we went back to the island and watched a movie (Rango) in the open air cinema. The wind switched a bit overnight and this morning we had SE winds at 15-20kts, making our mooring a bit exposed and rough. Hence, after breakfast we got off the boat and went ashore. We booked Haydee into a guided fish feeding tour, booked a hobie cat for just after lunch (Cameron really wants to take one for a sail) and again relaxed by the pool. Haydee enjoyed her fish feeding, but the winds were still too strong so we didn't get to take the catamaran out.
We had a late lunch on the boat before dropping the mooring at 2:50pm and sailing NE to Unsafe Passage (between North and Mid Molle Islands) on our way to Cid Harbour. The winds had started to ease and we had SE at 10kts, so we were on a good broad reach under full sail making 5kts through the water. Once we were through Unsafe Passage and into Whitsunday Passage, the winds changed direction slightly and were more ESE. We winched on the sails and sailed close hauled ENE for a little, but the wind continued to veer north. We tacked and sailed close hauled SE to the southern end of Cid Island. As the wind made NE, still at 10kts, we were able to sail E and dropped sail as we came into Homestead Bay on the west side of Cid Island. There was a bit too much swell and the chance of more as the wind changed to S/SE overnight, so we opted for southern end of Cid Harbour (Sawmill Bay). It took us three goes to get the anchor to bite, and we recalled having trouble here earlier, but we were anchored by 4:50pm.
Tomorrow we will go back to Homestead Bay for the morning so the kids can play on the beach and I will do some fishing. We will head off just after lunch and ride the ebb tide north and through Hook Passage, bound for Cateran Bay at Border Island. We didn't snorkel last time we were there and apparently it is nice, and it will be a base for some more fishing.
End Loc: Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island (20o 15.89'S, 148o 56.51'E)
Distance run: 10nm (cumulative: 1094nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 11 min (cumulative: 129 hr 36 min)
Narrative: We spent yesterday afternoon swimming, reading and generally relaxing by the pool. After home made pizza on the boat, we went back to the island and watched a movie (Rango) in the open air cinema. The wind switched a bit overnight and this morning we had SE winds at 15-20kts, making our mooring a bit exposed and rough. Hence, after breakfast we got off the boat and went ashore. We booked Haydee into a guided fish feeding tour, booked a hobie cat for just after lunch (Cameron really wants to take one for a sail) and again relaxed by the pool. Haydee enjoyed her fish feeding, but the winds were still too strong so we didn't get to take the catamaran out.
We had a late lunch on the boat before dropping the mooring at 2:50pm and sailing NE to Unsafe Passage (between North and Mid Molle Islands) on our way to Cid Harbour. The winds had started to ease and we had SE at 10kts, so we were on a good broad reach under full sail making 5kts through the water. Once we were through Unsafe Passage and into Whitsunday Passage, the winds changed direction slightly and were more ESE. We winched on the sails and sailed close hauled ENE for a little, but the wind continued to veer north. We tacked and sailed close hauled SE to the southern end of Cid Island. As the wind made NE, still at 10kts, we were able to sail E and dropped sail as we came into Homestead Bay on the west side of Cid Island. There was a bit too much swell and the chance of more as the wind changed to S/SE overnight, so we opted for southern end of Cid Harbour (Sawmill Bay). It took us three goes to get the anchor to bite, and we recalled having trouble here earlier, but we were anchored by 4:50pm.
Tomorrow we will go back to Homestead Bay for the morning so the kids can play on the beach and I will do some fishing. We will head off just after lunch and ride the ebb tide north and through Hook Passage, bound for Cateran Bay at Border Island. We didn't snorkel last time we were there and apparently it is nice, and it will be a base for some more fishing.
End Loc: Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island (20o 15.89'S, 148o 56.51'E)
Distance run: 10nm (cumulative: 1094nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 11 min (cumulative: 129 hr 36 min)
1st October, 2011
Start Loc: Abel Point Marina (20o 15.85'S, 148o 42.69'E)
Narrative: It was worth spending the extra time in at the marina. On Thursday afternoon Cameron and I caught the bus to get some chlorine for the toilet system and a grog resupply. Heather and Haydee dumped rubbish, checked us in, collected some mail, put some washing on, refilled the water tanks and filled our empty gas bottle. We also sorted the shipwright to have a look on Friday morning at the toe rails where they are splitting around two of the cleats. We got a lot done and through their help the kids earned a movie night.
Friday started with a run to the Airlie Beach Lagoon and a few laps. I was back by 6:45am as the shipwright was due at 7:00am. He had a look at the toe rails and worked out what he needed to do to fix them (remove the cleats, dry out the wood, glue and clamp, reseat the cleats) and we sorted him to do it at Hamilton Island on 6th October. The rigger is still out of action with his knee so I went and picked up the parts. The rigger range the supplier and confirmed how it was all supposed to go together, I went back to the boat to give it another crack. The bush that was provided for the halyard deflector simply did not fit, and I don't believe I need it anyway as the two head sail halyards are already "deflected" to the face of the mast, so I left the deflector as is. The two bushes for the foil went is surprisingly well and trouble free. The top cap went on without a drama (I cut a slit in it so I could slide it around the forestay which was significantly easier then even thinking about removing the forestay from the top of the mast to slide the top cap down it). The pin I removed went back in with some locktite. The second pin they provided was too small and simply slid in and out rather than locking in, so I wrote it off as well and will run with one pin in the top cap for a while. I returned the parts I didn't use and got my money back. In the end, they were not very helpful. After going to the top of the mast and having a look the rigger ordered the wrong parts (deflector bush), then when he injured himself they made no arrangements for us despite being booked in to have the work done. This was repeated when his "out of action" time was lengthened, but at least I could talk to him this time to confirm how everything was supposed to go. Then I found that another part they ordered (the locking pin) was the wrong size as well. Not the best experience and I decided I would try to find a new lock pin through Hamilton when we are in there. The rest of Friday was taken up with shopping, then portioning and stowing all our food.
The kids wanted to join me on my run and swim this morning, so I left a little later. We were back by 8:00am, and after breakfast got stuck into the cleaning that still had to be done, inside and outside the boat. We did a final top of the water tanks and left the marina at 11:50am. We had N winds at 10kts, so we were close hauled on our NE course towards Pioneer Rocks. When we reached the rocks, the wind dropped right off to less than 5kts, so we started the motor, furled the head sail (which no longer makes that clunking noise - success) and motor sailed SE to Daydream Island. We picked up the mooring buoy at 1:25pm.
The plan for the next few days is to visit some of the places we haven't been yet and do some fishing. We are booked in to Hamilton Island on Thursday 6th October and will spend the night there before Heather, Haydee and Cameron fly to Sydney on 7th October. I will spend a few days doing some maintenance on the engine (scraping off some surface rust, priming and repainting) and then pick Heather and the kids up again on Sunday 9th October.
End Loc: Daydream Island (20o 15.36'S, 148o 49.00'E)
Distance run: 8nm (cumulative: 1084nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 19 min (cumulative: 128 hr 25 min)
Narrative: It was worth spending the extra time in at the marina. On Thursday afternoon Cameron and I caught the bus to get some chlorine for the toilet system and a grog resupply. Heather and Haydee dumped rubbish, checked us in, collected some mail, put some washing on, refilled the water tanks and filled our empty gas bottle. We also sorted the shipwright to have a look on Friday morning at the toe rails where they are splitting around two of the cleats. We got a lot done and through their help the kids earned a movie night.
Friday started with a run to the Airlie Beach Lagoon and a few laps. I was back by 6:45am as the shipwright was due at 7:00am. He had a look at the toe rails and worked out what he needed to do to fix them (remove the cleats, dry out the wood, glue and clamp, reseat the cleats) and we sorted him to do it at Hamilton Island on 6th October. The rigger is still out of action with his knee so I went and picked up the parts. The rigger range the supplier and confirmed how it was all supposed to go together, I went back to the boat to give it another crack. The bush that was provided for the halyard deflector simply did not fit, and I don't believe I need it anyway as the two head sail halyards are already "deflected" to the face of the mast, so I left the deflector as is. The two bushes for the foil went is surprisingly well and trouble free. The top cap went on without a drama (I cut a slit in it so I could slide it around the forestay which was significantly easier then even thinking about removing the forestay from the top of the mast to slide the top cap down it). The pin I removed went back in with some locktite. The second pin they provided was too small and simply slid in and out rather than locking in, so I wrote it off as well and will run with one pin in the top cap for a while. I returned the parts I didn't use and got my money back. In the end, they were not very helpful. After going to the top of the mast and having a look the rigger ordered the wrong parts (deflector bush), then when he injured himself they made no arrangements for us despite being booked in to have the work done. This was repeated when his "out of action" time was lengthened, but at least I could talk to him this time to confirm how everything was supposed to go. Then I found that another part they ordered (the locking pin) was the wrong size as well. Not the best experience and I decided I would try to find a new lock pin through Hamilton when we are in there. The rest of Friday was taken up with shopping, then portioning and stowing all our food.
The kids wanted to join me on my run and swim this morning, so I left a little later. We were back by 8:00am, and after breakfast got stuck into the cleaning that still had to be done, inside and outside the boat. We did a final top of the water tanks and left the marina at 11:50am. We had N winds at 10kts, so we were close hauled on our NE course towards Pioneer Rocks. When we reached the rocks, the wind dropped right off to less than 5kts, so we started the motor, furled the head sail (which no longer makes that clunking noise - success) and motor sailed SE to Daydream Island. We picked up the mooring buoy at 1:25pm.
The plan for the next few days is to visit some of the places we haven't been yet and do some fishing. We are booked in to Hamilton Island on Thursday 6th October and will spend the night there before Heather, Haydee and Cameron fly to Sydney on 7th October. I will spend a few days doing some maintenance on the engine (scraping off some surface rust, priming and repainting) and then pick Heather and the kids up again on Sunday 9th October.
End Loc: Daydream Island (20o 15.36'S, 148o 49.00'E)
Distance run: 8nm (cumulative: 1084nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 19 min (cumulative: 128 hr 25 min)
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